ABC Septic Inspection, A Better Choice

About Me

I am an NAWT certified inspector with over 10 years experience in the field of septic installation and repair. The majority of my clients reside in Boulder county. In September 2008, when the Property Transfer Regulation became enacted, I anticipated the need for independent inspectors who acted with integrity and a commitment to thoroughness.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

I am available to give presentations at no charge to your real estate office about the Septic smart program. This is a busy time for listing properties. Don't risk having a closing postponed due to an issue with a Property Transfer Certificate!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Evaluate septic components inside the home:We will determine whether all waste lines are properly discharging into approved waste systems. This part of the inspection also includes a flow test where dye tablets are introduced into the septic system. This test will simulate normal septic usage and enable inspectors to observe drainage.

Examine inside the treatment tank:We open the tank, examine the inlet and outlet baffles and determine the volume of the treatment tank. The tank is then inspected for cracks, corrosion and leakage. In addition, we also check the waste levels inside the treatment tank. We use an infrared camera to aid in this process. The tank is then pumped during our inspection. The physical condition of the tank cannot be assessed below the waste level. Pumping the tank allows us to completely inspect the tank, so that the parts of the system can be evaluated under normal operating conditions. We will visually inspect the surface area of the absorption field to locate signs of system backups and probe underground to check for excessive moisture, odor, and/or effluent.

Comprehensive and Easy to Read Report:

Our inspection report provides the overall condition of the septic system and what problems may be present.The home owner or Legal Agent will need to sign the General Information Form. As a service to the agent or homeowner, we will turn in the inspection to the Boulder County Health Department.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

If you somehow managed to purchase a home that did not have the system inspected you will receive a letter from the Boulder County Health department alerting you that you are in violation of the regulation.

You will have to comply with the regulation AT YOUR EXPENSE. The letter will be sent to the buyer the seller and the involved Realtors but ultimately as the new home owner you are the one held responsible by the County.

This can be very costly if there are necessary repairs needed or you are dealing with a failing system.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Most inspections will accrue the Inspection of the Onsite Wastewater Sytem fee, the Boulder County Certificate Fee, and the cost of having the system pumped. The Fee's to the County and the pumper are paid directly to those entities. The listed fees do not include the cost of pumping which varies based on the size of the tank.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

How long does an inspection take? Times will vary based on the complexity of each individual system. Generally the inspection takes from 3-4 hours.

Does the homeowner need to be present for the inspection?While it is not required for the homeowner to be present, we will need access inside the home.

Are there standards for septic inspectors?Boulder County has a list of approved inspectors that have been certified by the National Association of Wastewater Transporters(NAWT.) Inspectors on this list have completed a comprehensive, nationally accredited course in the inspection of onsite wastewater systems. They have demonstrated their competence by passing a rigorous exam; Inspector’s need to re-certify every two years. (from Boulder County’s septic smart) Why should the tank be pumped at the time of inspection?The physical condition of the tank cannot be assessed below the waste level. Pumping the tank allows us to completely inspect the tank. Having the tank pumped during our inspectionallows us to evaluate parts of the system under normal operating conditions. It is a Boulder County requirement that the tank be pumped during the inspection.

How long does it take to generate the Property Transfer Certificate?It will take 7-14 days to receive your Property transfer Certificate from Boulder County. The permits are good for 4 years, although if you are a buyer of a new home needing septic repairs they would need to be completed within the one year timeline required by the county.